Page 61 of Made For Ruin

Axel sighs and gives us a look. “Anything else, your majesties? Should I fetch your royal slippers too while I’m at it?”

“Well, if you’re offering...” I tease with a grin.

He rolls his eyes but heads to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returns and unceremoniously drops a bag of chips in front of Ruby and hands me a can of passion fruit LaCroix.

“I hope you two appreciate my gracious hospitality,” Axel says as he settles back into his chair. “Especially considering how cutthroat you’re being with this game. I’m wounded, truly.”

Ruby waves him off, already popping open the bag of chips.

“Oh hush, you know you love us. And besides, you’ve been ruthless all night. We’re just playing your game.”

I nod in agreement and take a sip of my drink, but my eyes drift to the expansive window next to us.

Axel notices my wandering gaze. “Like what you see?” he asks with a playful wink.

I roll my eyes but can’t suppress a smile.

“The view is alright, I guess. If you’re into that whole ‘rooms bigger than my entire apartment’ aesthetic.”

“Hey, I offered you the guest room anytime,” he reminds me. “Mi casa es tu casa and all that.”

“Tempting, but I think I’ll stick with my cozy shoebox for now.”

Although technically, I don’t live in my shoebox apartment anymore. But I don’t tell Axel that.

“It’s nice having the gang back together.” Ruby pops a jalapeño chip into her mouth and crunches loudly. “Feels like old times, doesn’t it?”

I nod thoughtfully, my mind drifting to memories of late nights just like this back in high school. The three of us huddled together on the couch, trash talking each other over board games and gorging ourselves on junk food. Back before life got so complicated. Before I...well, before a lot of things.

“Speaking of old times,” Axel says, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Guess who just got hired to play at Lorena Castellano’s wedding?”

Ruby nearly chokes on a chip. “Shut up, Lorena Castellano from high school? The mafia princess?”

Axel grins. “The very same.”

“Wow, Axel, that’s huge!” Ruby says. “Lorena’s wedding is going to betheevent of the year.”

“And I haven’t even told you both the best part.” Axel’s grin widens. “You two are invited to the wedding too.”

My stomach drops. “Wait, what?”

“Yeah, I told Lorena that I wouldn’t play unless she invited my two best friends. And she agreed.”

Ruby’s eyes widen. “Holy shit, really?”

Axel nods. “Really.”

“I’m so in!” Ruby exclaims. “This is going to be epic. Lainey, please tell me you’re coming.”

I force a smile, trying to hide the dread pooling in my gut.

Although I’m excited for Axel and his band, my mind immediately jumps to Marcus. He’s going to lose his mind when he finds out I’m planning to attend a wedding hosted by someone he clearly considers dangerous. But what can I say to Axel?

Sorry, I can’t support your big break because I’m secretly dating your dad and he has some intense history with the father of the bride?

The absurdity of my situation hits me all at once.

I’m trapped between wanting to be there for my friend and knowing this news will send Marcus into full protective mode.

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